Integration of VR and AR Dementia Prevention Health Education Progrom for Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

National Taiwan Normal University

Status: Invitation-only

Conditions: Attitude to Health; Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); Older Adults (65 Years and Older); eHealth; Self-Efficacy; Dementia; Virtual Reality; Health Education; Health Literacy

Treatments: Behavioral: VR Dementia Prevention Health Education Module

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06888986

202212HM033

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR)-based cognitive health education for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Taiwan. The study aims to assess whether VR-supported interventions improve cognitive health knowledge, health literacy, and self-management skills among participants.

The primary research questions are:

1. Does the VR-based intervention enhance participants' knowledge related to dementia and their health literacy?
2. Does the VR-based intervention improve cognitive function, mental well-being, and self-efficacy compared to a control group?

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

1. Intervention group: This group will receive the "VR Dementia Prevention Health Education Module," an immersive virtual reality program designed to enhance dementia-related knowledge and coping strategies.
2. Control group: This group will receive standard, routine health education without VR exposure.

Full description

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of a Virtual Reality (VR)-based cognitive health education program for older adults in Taiwan who show signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The research seeks to determine whether VR-enhanced dementia prevention education increases dementia-related knowledge, health literacy, self-efficacy, and acceptance of dementia compared to a control group receiving standard health education without VR exposure and intervention.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 65 years and older.
• AD-8 score of 2 or higher, indicating possible cognitive impairment.
• Ability to understand and follow basic instructions in Mandarin or Taiwanese.
• Capacity to provide informed consent or have a legally authorized representative to provide consent.
• Ability to tolerate and interact with VR equipment (e.g., wearing a VR headset, using hand controllers).

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosed with moderate to severe dementia (i.e., unable to follow basic instructions).
• Presence of severe visual, auditory, or motor impairments that hinder interaction with VR devices.
• Diagnosed with severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, major depressive disorder).
• Unable to communicate effectively in Mandarin or Taiwanese.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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100 participants in 2 patient groups

Experimental Group (VR Dementia Prevention Education)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm will take part in the VR Dementia Prevention Health Education Module, an immersive virtual reality (VR) intervention aimed at enhancing dementia-related knowledge, health literacy, self-efficacy, and attitudes toward dementia. The intervention combines 360-degree panoramic VR technology with interactive educational content to create a realistic and engaging learning experience for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Treatment:

Behavioral: VR Dementia Prevention Health Education Module

Control Group (No Intervention)

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in this arm will not receive any active intervention during the study. They will continue with their usual daily routine, without exposure to VR-based health education or any structured dementia-related educational programs. This group serves as a comparison to evaluate the effects of the VR Dementia Prevention Health Education Module administered to the experimental group.